Carlos Sainz dismisses Audi Formula 1 rumours, focused on Ferrari future

Carlos Sainz, the rising star of Formula 1, has put an end to speculations surrounding his potential move to Audi when the German automaker joins the championship in 2026.

The Spanish driver, who clinched his maiden F1 victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix, remains committed to his contract with Ferrari until 2024, leaving a one-year gap between the conclusion of his current deal and Audi's entry into the sport.

Fuelling the rumours was Sainz's former team principal at McLaren, Andreas Seidl, who has already joined Audi to spearhead their Formula 1 campaign. However, Sainz unequivocally denied any reunion talks, affirming his intention to extend his stay with Ferrari, while also keeping his options open for other possibilities.

"I'm not going to lie; I don't relish entering the final year of my contract without clarity on my racing future," Sainz conveyed to Motorsport.com. "My priority and ultimate goal are to secure a victory with Ferrari. I've made this abundantly clear on numerous occasions, which is why my focus this winter will be on them."

"If that doesn't materialize, then I will explore other options. However, my priority and intention are to resolve things with Ferrari during the winter break."

In response to the swirl of rumours, Sainz expressed his bewilderment, suggesting that slow news weeks in Formula 1 might lead to sensationalism. He remarked, "I honestly think there are weeks in F1 where there's nothing to talk about. I don't know if it's clickbait or perhaps smaller journalists trying to gain notoriety and boost their profiles by saying, 'I was the first to report Carlos joining Audi in 2026.'"

"I genuinely believe it's related to that, as I can't fathom the origins of these rumours. It neither confirms nor denies anything, as it's impossible to say at this stage. However, I can state unequivocally that I am not engaging in discussions with anyone other than Ferrari."

As anticipation builds for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, motorsport enthusiasts eagerly await the next chapter in Sainz's burgeoning career.